ACTION GUIDE:

Design Your Workday

How to create a framework

Framework is defined as a structure supporting or containing something. It provides a basic shape or shell. Keep it simple. You are looking for an overview; the specific details will come later. As you create the structure, keep your vision and goals in mind to make sure your framework supports them.

Sample Framework

Here’s an idea of what the framework may look like. 

Day

Work Time

Breaks

Target Areas

Monday

7am to 4pm

9 break
12-1 Lunch

7-7:30 email
7:30-9 project work
1-1:30 email

Tuesday

6am to 3pm

8 break
12-1 Lunch

6-6:30 email
7-8am marketing
2-2:30 email
*1st Tues 1-2 Accountability group 

Wednesday

7am to 4pm

9 break
12-1 Lunch

7-7:30 email
7:30-9 marketing
1-1:30 email

Thursday

6am to 3pm

8 break
12-1 Lunch

6-6:30 email
6:30-8 project work
1-1:30 email
*2nd Thurs 1:30-3 Mastermind group 

Friday

7am to 2pm

9 break
12-1 Lunch

7-7:30 email
7:30-9 financial/administrative
9-10 social media read/connect
1-2 networking

Saturday/Sunday

Off

  

Design Your Workday

Build Your Framework

You are creating something that works for you. It doesn’t have to include traditional work hours or any other pre-conceived ideas. Work times may vary by day of the week. Your workday may be segmented in any way that works for you. Make it all yours!

Set Business Hours

How many hours each week will you devote to your business?
_________________________________

List what hours of each day you will work. 

________________________________________________________
____________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________

Target Areas

In your framework, include blocks of time for things like marketing, administrative, financial, email and social media. Scheduling time for these things allows you to concentrate on the task at hand. You can turn off notifications for email/social media with confidence, knowing that you have time booked to check them. The example above also includes time for project work, networking, and monthly group meetings. 

Breaks

This is very important! Taking breaks isn’t a luxury; it’s an investment in your effectiveness and well-being. Schedule breaks and mealtimes in your Framework. Those moments of respite give your brain the chance to rejuvenate, gain clarity, and come back stronger than ever!

Use the table below to build your framework. 

Day

Work Time

Breaks

Target Areas

    
    
    
    
    
    

Design Your Workday

Project Breakdown

It’s important to break down a project like “update website” into actionable steps like write copy, find images, or add a page. Use the table below to do this. You will assign a specific day and time to these steps when you complete the Weekly Time Investment Plan.

  1. Identify each action needed for the project, then place them in the appropriate order. This will allow you to track your progress
    and celebrate milestones along the way. 
  2. For each step, list a specific measurable action. 
  3. Add a due date for each action. 

Project Name List specific tasks below.

Project Name List specific tasks below

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Weekly Time Investment Plan

Use your framework and project breakdown to create a Weekly Time Investment Plan. You can plan next week on Friday afternoon, over the weekend or any time that works for you. 

Fill in the specific details for the week including what work needs to be done in your Target Areas. Add your weekly details to your task app or calendar so you can follow your Time Investment Plan. 

Daily Review

Take 5 minutes at the end of each day to review your progress and make any needed adjustments. 

It’s okay if don’t get all the planned work done. Sometimes work takes longer than expected or you planned more work than was realistic. Don’t worry – it happens! Celebrate what you accomplished and shift any incomplete work to another time. 

Design Your Workday

Boundaries

If there were interruptions or distractions that delayed your planned work, create boundaries so you can stay focused.  

  • Turn off notifications on all devices
  • Close any files, folders and browser tabs you are not using
  • Close your email 
  • Set expectations with family/household members

Next Steps

Email me with questions at Elaine@ElaineSellers.com  
Book your free call: https://calendly.com/elaine-sellers/talk  
Check out other Time Investment Micro Courses at ElaineSellers.com